The Week in Quotes

August 8-15

"It's just nice to see emotion on the ballclub.... It's the first time we've been on the field [in a melee] in two years. It doesn't bother me at all. Good, old-fashioned hardball in the heat of summer."
--Clint Hurdle, Rockies manager, on his team's on-field altercation with the Pirates on Sunday (Rocky Mountain News)

"I was just trying to go in on him in that situation.... He dives and leans over the plate, and it got him. I was yelling at the umpire [that] [Kendall] needs to get out of the way, and he came after me. It wasn't directed toward Kendall at all."
--Joe Kennedy, Rockies pitcher, on hitting Jason Kendall in the arm, and the fight that ensued (Rocky Mountain News)

"He said some things I can't repeat. But it was certainly unwarranted, particularly from a rookie pitcher, who ought to just keep his mouth shut and pitch the game. He'll learn."
--Lloyd McClendon, Pirates manager, on Kennedy, a four-year MLB veteran (Rocky Mountain News)

"Obviously, Jason took it upon himself to charge the mound.... If he doesn't charge the mound, nothing happens, regardless of what Joe says or what they say to each other."
--Hurdle

"I have no problem with Jason charging the mound, if that's what he feels he's got to do. He's caught the most games ever [in Pirates history]. Maybe that's the way he finds a couple days off."
--Hurdle

"So it's all just reaction.... I feel fine. I'll probably be a little stiff [today]. I don't usually lift those [lower back and triceps] muscles. It was a good time. I enjoyed it."
--Kennedy

"I still don't get how a guy can charge the mound, a pitcher can stand there, take the blow and he gets thrown out of the game.... Their point was if he wouldn't have had a verbal altercation, that wouldn't have happened. I dispute that."
--Hurdle

IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEM

"[We] had to build a new foundation and get rid of the defeatist attitude. If you're going to bring in a new philosophy, there's a lot of groundwork that has to be laid, and we're getting there. It's nice to see these players coming to the park every day expecting to win, and it's nice to see them get (ticked) off when they lose. You're seeing guys throwing things now. When we lose, there's [stuff] flying around the clubhouse."
--McClendon (Los Angeles Daily News)

"As a manager, you like to see some of that."
--McClendon

"Is there more run production in that room? Yes. But are the statistics that skewed? No. You do scratch your head sometimes. Are we stealing the bases we should? Are we making productive outs? Are we hitting with runners in scoring position?"
--Mike Scioscia, Angels manager, on his team's offense (Los Angeles Times)

"We've been a little soft in some areas, but the bottom line is we've scored enough to support the pitching staff and to support a championship-caliber club. The offense is not the reason why we haven't run away with the division."
--Scioscia

THE BLUE BUS IS CALLIN' US

"If I wasn't having fun, I'd quit.... Just putting on a uniform and playing, that's what my happiness is. But it will only be for a little while longer. Then, I'll be gone quick."
--Barry Bonds, Giants outfielder (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)

"I've got a timetable. When that time comes, I'll let you guys know. Unless they kick me out first."
--Bonds

"I'll wait until the winter to see what'll be my opportunity. I don't think I'll continue doing the same thing I'm doing now. I don't think there will be any more Newark. I think I'm above the league. It's not so much of a challenge for me."
--Rickey Henderson, Newark Bears outfielder and future Hall of Famer (San Francisco Chronicle)

"The A's and other ballclubs know what I'm doing, how I'm playing and how healthy I am.... If a team needs a player to come in and help out, they can call. Right now, I'm still loving the game and having fun. If you can't compete with the young players, then it's time to give it up. I think I can still compete."
--Henderson

"I'd rather do it and play.... If I was hurt or couldn't run the bases, that would be great. But I still think I can perform. It would be tough for me to come back for one day. I never want to leave the game and wonder if I could still play. That's probably why I'm still in Newark. I know inside of me I'm not through, so if I don't get an opportunity to play in the big leagues, I guess I can get it out of my system doing what I'm doing."
--Henderson

"I always tell Bonds they give him a pass. He's not getting no walks. They're giving him a pass."
--Henderson

THE REST

"I promise you'll see me again.... I know I'm a fighter, and I believe in myself. The season hasn't gone in my favor, but a lot of things can happen. I've got to keep going and get myself back to being the Randall I used to be."
--Randall Simon, former Pirates first baseman and hacker extroadinaire, after being released (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)

"Neifi is a pro and was a good addition to the club and played hard every chance he got. He didn't like [the move] but said he understood it."
--Brian Sabean, Giants general manager, on Neifi Perez, the least productive hitter in the league according to VORP and an ex-Giant as of Friday (MLB.com)

"It's been miserable. It's not enough to keep me out for the season, but it's enough to keep me sidelined most of the year.... I haven't been able to help the team out the way I've wanted to. And I'm sure they're frustrated. I screwed up Timmy's role [speaking of Tim Worrell], Bert's role [speaking of Roberto Hernandez], everybody's role."
--Billy Wagner, Phillies reliever (Philadelphia Inquirer)